Peat

Peat is widely recognised as providing key ecosystem services that are important for human well being. It underpins habitats and landscapes that are important for biodiversity, moderation of groundwater flow and quality, climate regulation, provision of food, cultural heritage and recreation (Bonn et al., 2010).

In Britain, peat has been badly affected by drainage, burning, overgrazing and industrial pollution. As a result, habitat loss, Carbon dioxide and methane release as well as detrimental effects on groundwater have been observed. Scientists are trying to quantify the threats posed by loss of peat, and to establish methods to monitor, manage and alleviate the problems.

Over many years, BGS has built a wide portfolio of peat-based research. At the simplest level we have mapped areas where peat occurs and include these in our DiGMapGB suite of datasets.

We have also started creating 3D models for peat deposits to quantify volumes of stored carbon, assess groundwater interactions and establish the distribution of buried peat deposits in our fluvial environments.

A comprehensive database of peat-related information available in BGS; includes mapped peat polygons, information on peat thickness, derived from borehole logs, and 3D geological models in known peat areas.